The Calm During the Storm
DO NOT COPY
Summary: There is a big thunderstorm and y/n is very scared of it, but Natasha helps her through it.
No warnings
Fluff
SFW
Words: 2838
Natasha was in her room reading a book when a distant rumble of thunder sounds off in the sky followed by a brief flash in the sky. The compound is quiet and peaceful. The guys all went on a guys trip and the only people left where Natasha; and you while Natasha was reading you were in your room watching TV. Another rumble of thunder sounds but this time a bit closer as rain starts to gently fall and pelt against the windows and roof. As the thunder gets louder Natasha heard a tiny scream from her sisters room.
Natasha's head snaps towards your room upon hearing the scream before she immediately set down her book and bolted out of her room. She quickly ran over to your door and knocked firmly. "Y/n? You okay in there?" She asked from the other side of the door.
Natasha gently pushes open the door to find you curled up under the covers, peeking out with wide eyes at the storm outside. She crosses the room with that quiet assassin grace and perches on the edge of your bed. "Thunder got you spooked?" she asks, voice warm but laced with that signature Romanoff smirk. Without waiting for an answer, she scoots closer and pokes your side teasingly. "Come on, Y/nn, you really gonna let some noisy clouds scare you?" She starts tickling your ribs playfully, clearly trying to distract you from the storm while simultaneously showing that rare affectionate side she reserves only for her sisters. "Bet I can make you laugh louder than that thunder!" âNo no nohoho!â You laughed as you squirmed under the covers.
Natasha's grin turns downright mischievous as she increases her tickle attack, fingers spider-walking up your sides. "Oh that's cuteâyou think screaming 'no' works on the Black Widow?" she teases, expertly dodging your flailing limbs. "Y'know, when thunder gets this loud in Russia, we justâ" She punctuates the sentence by blowing a loud raspberry against your cheek, dissolving into rare, carefree laughter herself. The storm outside is forgotten as she wraps you in a playful headlock, ruffling your hair. "Admit it, this is way more fun than being scared!"
âHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAHAH!!â
Natasha finally relents her attack, collapsing back on the bed beside you. Her cheeks are flushed with laughter, a rarity for the usually stone-faced Avenger. The storm continues outside, but inside your room, the mood is light and playful. She drapes an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into a hug. "See? Nothing to be afraid of." She lightly knocks her knuckles against your head affectionately, still snickering. Thunder and lightning strikes again extra loud this time that it shakes the windows and you huddle back under the blanket again.
"Hey, hey," Natasha soothes, her voice dropping to a gentle murmur. She wraps the blanket tighter around you both, tucking it snugly against your chin. "It's okay. I've got you." She pulls you closer, her hand rubbing slow, comforting circles on your back as the storm rages outside. In the faint light of the room, her green eyes glimmer with rare vulnerability. "You wanna hear a secret?" You shrug. Natasha leans in close, her warm breath tickling your ear. "Sometimes even Black Widows get spooked." She chuckles quietly, the admission carrying a hint of shared vulnerability. "But here's what I do." She shifts position slightly, so she's leaning against the headboard with her legs spread out. "C'mere." She pats her lap in invitation. "Trust me on this."
As you hesitantly comply, she guides you to lie down on your stomach across her legs. "Okay, now close your eyes." Her voice drips with that soothing, maternal Natasha you only hear when she's around kids. Once you comply, you feel her hands gently start kneading your shoulders, using just enough pressure to be comforting. "Told you I'd keep you safe. Now just take a deep breath...in...and out." The storm outside fades into background noise as you focus on Natasha's steadying presence and her calming massage. âThat feels goodâ You say. Natasha lets out a satisfied hum, her fingers finding a tense knot between your shoulders. She works it out patiently, her touch both firm and gentle. "That's it," she murmurs, the low timbre of her voice lulling you into a state of tranquility. "Just relax. Let the tension fall away." Time loses its meaning as she meticulously massages your back, hitting all the sore spots you didn't even know you had. It's not just about physical comfort; it's a silent reassurance of an unwavering bond.
âIâm still scared.â Natasha can feel the tightness in your muscles, the lingering fear even as the storm begins to subside. She stops her massage momentarily, her hand resting on the small of your back. "Hey, look at me," she says quietly, her voice serious. You open your eyes to find hers gazing down at you with a mixture of worry and determination. She shifts, guiding you into a sitting position on her lap. "You still scared?" You nod.
Natasha's arms wrap around you in a firm but comforting embrace. The steady rhythm of her heartbeats against your back is grounding. She rests her chin on your head, her voice dropping to a soft murmur. "It's okay to be scared," she reassures, her fingers gently playing with your hair. "We all get afraid, even superheroes." The last part is punctuated with a hint of a chuckle. "But you know what scares me the most?" You shake your head. Natasha hesitates for a beatâsomething she never does in the fieldâbefore exhaling sharply through her nose. "Losing family," she admits, her grip tightening slightly. "More than any bullet, any fight." She presses her forehead lightly against yours, voice dropping to a whisper. "So trust me when I say...you being scared of thunder? That just means I get to hold onto you a little longer." She punctuates it with a quick nose-boink, that rare Natasha mischief flashing in her eyes. "Worth it."
The storm outside has quieted to a soft pitter-patter of rain against the windows. You realize your breathing has synchronized with Natasha's, the fear slowly seeping out of you. In this moment, wrapped in her strong yet tender presence, the world seems a little less daunting. You feel safe, loved. It's a small victory for the Black Widow, a secret mission to keep the storm from your heart. As you both sit there, in the quiet warmth of the room, she whispers, just loudly enough for you to hear, "Feeling better?"
Thunder crashes again and you hide back under the blankets. Natasha rolls her eyes playfully, her expression both amused and fond. "Oh, that's how it is, huh?" She sighs dramatically, pulling the covers aside to sit cross-legged beside you. "I don't know what's funnier: my little sister being scared of clouds or that you think a little fabric will save you." She smirks, gently tugging the blanket down to expose your head. Before you can protest, her hand ruffles your hair affectionately. "Enough hiding. Let's try something different." âNo!â You let out a muffled shout from under the covers. Natasha can't help but chuckle at your stubbornness. "You know, for a mini agent-in-training, you're not exactly the most cooperative." She taps your hidden head scoldingly before grabbing the edge of the blanket. "Come on out. This isn't a negotiation.â She uses just enough force to pull the covers down to your shoulders. "Now sit up." You keep looking out the window at the storm.
Natasha follows your gaze to the window. The rain still pelts the glass in a rhythmic symphony. The sky is a deep indigo now, punctuated by occasional flashes of lightning. She can see the fear in your eyes, the lingering dread. Her expression softens. "Hey," she murmurs, gently taking your chin and turning your face towards her. "Eyes on me." Your heart starts racing as the storm intensifies. Natasha's sharp eyes don't miss the rapid rising and falling of your chest. Her hands move to your shoulders, giving them a light shake to regain your focus. "Hey, hey, easy," she soothes, the teasing edge gone from her voice. "Breathe with me, Y/n. In, hold it, out. Slowly." She exaggerates her own deep breaths for you to follow, her gaze steady and unwavering on yours. âNo! I just wanna hide!â You say. Your panicked reply cuts through the air, and Natasha sighs heavily. But rather than pushing, she takes a moment, her eyes flicking between you and the storm outside. Then, in a move that's equal parts stern and gentle, she grabs your shoulders again, forcing you to face her fully. Her voice is firm. "Hey, listen to me now."
When you begrudgingly meet her gaze, she continues, her voice softer but no less intense. "You can't hide from storms, not the outside ones, and not the ones in here." She taps her knuckles against your chest, right over your heart. âWhat do you mean?â You ask her. Natasha's hands stay on your shoulders as she holds your gaze steadily, the storm almost forgotten in the background. "I mean," she begins in that same firm yet gentle tone, "inside here," she taps your chest again, "there are storms too. Fear, uncertainty, doubt. They're part of what makes you...well, you. And sometimes, they'll be loud, they'll make your heart race. But you have to face them. You can't just hide under a blanket and hope they go away." âI can try to.â You retorted. Natasha lets out a dry chuckle, equal parts fondness and exasperation. "Sure, you can try. But how's that working out for you right now?" She gives a pointed look from the covers you're still partially buried in back to your wide, fearful eyes. "Hiding just means the storms get bigger, and they hit louder when you least expect it. Sometimes...you gotta fight, not flee." âIt feels like a have a rock in my belly.â You said referring to the fear while holding your stomach.
Natasha's expression softens, her stern façade melting away. She can practically see the metaphorical weight weighing down on you. "A rock, huh? Like a big, heavy knot in your stomach?" She places a hand over your abdomen, her touch gentle. Natasha exhales softly, her grip shifting to wrap both arms around you in a protective cocoon. "That's adrenaline," she murmurs, her lips quirking at one corner despite the seriousness of the moment. "Your body's way of screaming 'danger.'" She taps your nose lightlyâa grounding gestureâbefore continuing. "But here's the fun part: we can trick it. Deep breaths first." She demonstrates again, inhaling dramatically through her nose. "Then..." Her fingers dance up your sides in a deliberately silly, feather-light tickle. "We remind it who's really in charge." The mischief in her eyes is unmistakable. "Bet you I can make that rock disappear before the next lightning strike." âHeheheheâ You giggled.
Natasha smirks victoriously as your laughter bubbles up, her fingers still spidering along your ribs in playful, unpredictable patterns. "There it is," she teases, her voice warm with triumph. "Best way to kick fear's butt? Laugh right in its face." The storm outside rumbles again, but this time she doesn't let you flinchâinstead, she launches into an absurdly dramatic rendition of the chicken dance, arms flapping. "Come on, if we're loud enough, the thunder'll get jealous and leave us alone!" Her exaggerated wiggling eyebrows dare you to join the ridiculousness. âStohohohop!!â Natasha's grin widens as you protest, her fingers relentlessly tickling your sides. "Ah, ah, too late for mercy," she chides playfully, her fingers finding their way to your ticklish belly button as she continues the tickle assault. "Laughter is the ultimate weapon against fear, remember? And I'm not stopping until that belly knot is gone!" She punctuates this declaration with a raspberry blown against your neck. "So laugh, Y/n, and laugh loudly.â
âHahahaahahahahaahahhaah! Stahahahahap!! Iâm not scared anymohohore!!!â Natasha finally stops her tickle assault, her fingers instead gently rubbing your sides as she grins triumphantly. "There we go," she murmurs, her voice filled with equal parts pride and relief. "Told you I could make the rock disappear before the next lightning strike." The storm outside is still raging, but it seems smaller in the face of your shared laughter. "Feeling a bit lighter now?" She taps your chest lightly. âYeah a little.â You say letting the remaining giggles subside. Natasha nods, satisfied. "Good." For a moment, she studies you quietly, her gaze a mix of concern and admiration. Then, without warning, she wraps you in another tight hug, her cheek resting against the top of your head. "You know," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper, "you're stronger than you give yourself credit for." The next roll of thunder is just a distant background noise now. You look out the window.
Natasha follows your gaze out the window. The rain continues to pelt against the glass, and beyond it, the sky is a canvas of dark clouds and intermittent flashes of light. The storm is still going strong. Natasha shifts slightly, pulling you closer on her lap. "It's still putting on quite the show out there, huh?" Her hand finds yours, giving it a gentle squeeze. You nod. Natasha gently pulls your focus back onto her to prevent you from fixating on the outside chaos. "Hey," she murmurs, using her free hand to lift your chin until your eyes meet hers. "No more staring out there. The storm can have the outdoors. In here," she taps your chest, "it's just you and me...and a whole lot of blankets." She winks, the corner of her mouth tugging up in a lopsided smile. She runs here nail under your chin reassuringly. Natasha's touch is both comforting and familiar, and you can almost feel the calm radiating off her. "You know, sometimes storms can be a good thing," she muses, her fingers trailing down your arm before starting the gentle massage again. "They clear the air, bring in fresh rain...and in our case, they bring you right here, with me, so I can annoy you." A small, teasing grin breaks through the serious facade. "And maybe, just maybe, help you forget everything but the sound of my voice."
You sigh as you avoid eye contact with Natasha. âThe thunder reminds of⌠the shooting drillâs in Red Room.â You confess. Natasha's face softens the moment she hears your words. She understands immediately what you're referring to. The Red Room isn't a place associated with warm memories. The "shooting drills" mentioned were likely a grim part of your training. She exhales slowly, her hand stilling on your arm. "You remember those?" Her voice is quieter now, laced with empathy and an undertow of anger towards your past. You nod. Natasha's jaw tightens ever so slightly. The mention of the Red Room's brutal practices ignites a flicker of anger within her, and her hand grips yours a bit tighter. But as quickly as it appears, the anger is masked, replaced by a gentle understanding. She takes a deep breath before continuing, her words careful yet firm. "Those drills were⌠barbaric." She shakes her head, the memory clearly distasteful to her. "They weren't just training, they were...conditioning. Conditioning to fear. To react." Natasha brushes her thumb over your knuckles in slow, grounding strokes. "But here's what *they* never taught youâ" Her voice drops to a whisper, intense with conviction. "Thunder is just noise. It can't hurt you. And you?" She taps your collarbone lightly, mouth quirking. "You're made of way tougher stuff than some old Red Room drill." The wind howls outside as if protesting, but she just rolls her eyes. "See? Even the storm knows I'm right." You smile slightly at her joke.
Natasha's grin widens at the tiny flicker of amusement on your face, and she nudges you with her shoulder. "There it is," she murmurs, clearly pleased. "That's the smile I was looking for." She leans back against the headboard, arms crossed, but there's no missing the warmth in her expression. "So, think you can handle the rest of this storm now? Or do I need to bring in the heavy artillery?" She wiggles her fingers threateningly, her teasing smirk promising another round of tickles if needed. You put your hands up and hold Natashaâs fingers to keep them still. âOnly if you stay with me.â Natasha huffs out a laugh, but she doesn't pull her hands away. "Deal," she says, flipping her grip so her fingers wrap securely around yours. "Not like I had plans to abandon my post anyway." She tugs you back against her shoulder, her free hand reaching for the discarded blanket to drape over both of you. "Storm duty comes with mandatory cuddles. Standard Widow protocol." The mischief in her eyes is softened by something far more tender as the next roll of thunder passesâthis time, neither of you flinch.














